Directory_and_Chronicle_1885 — Page 45

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MAHOMEÐAN FESTIVALS, FASTS, AND OBSERVANCES.

The Feast of PENCOST, or WEEKS, is celebrated on the fiftieth day after the Passover, and is a feast of thanksgiving to the Lord, wherein they acknowledge his dominion over their country and their labours, by offering to him two loaves as the first fruits of all their harvest. It also commemorates the giving of the law from Mount Sinai. The Hebrews counted seven weeks from the Passover, beginning on the second day of that solemnity, and hence called it the Feast of Weeks; but by the Christians it is called Pentecost, a name which signifies the Fiftieth Day.

The Feast of TABERNACLES was instituted as a memorial of their fathers having dwelt in tenta for forty years, during the passage through the wilderness. It is kept in the first month of the civil year, falls on the evening of the 23rd September, and finishes on the evening of the 2ud October.

The Feast of TRUMPETS is celebrated on the first day of their civil year [10th Sept.], its commencement being proclaimed by sound of trumpet, and the day is kept solemn, all business being forbidden and certain sacrific's appointed to be offered.

There are also two other feasts, though not appointed by law, which require notice, as they are often mentioned in Jewish history. The feast of DEDICATION WAS appointed to celebrate the re-establishment of Divine worship in Jerusalem, after Antiochus Epiphanes had been vanquished and the tape purified. It is observed for eight da.s, from the 25th of the third month (commences on the evening of the 2nd December], and is also called the Feast of Lights.

Poorim falls on the 14th and 15th of the sixth month [commences on the even- ing of the 28th February], and commemorates the defeat of Haman. On these days they give alms to the poor and presents to their friends on account of the lives of all the Jews having been saved by Esther, (it is therefore called "Feast of Esther") which happened on the 13th of the 6th month (civil year)-March.

The 10th of the first month of the civil year is the day of ATONEMENT, on which they observe a fast from 6 P.M. of the 9th to 7 P.M. of the 10th, and ask forgiveness for their sins. Other fasts were also instituted in later times, connected with the siege of Jerusalem (10th of tenth month), the capture of the city (17th of the fourth month), the burning of the temple (9th of the fifth month), and the death of Gueda- liah (3rd of the first month) of the civil year.

Every seventh year is to the Jews a Sabbatical year; and we find that Alexander the Great granted them an exemption from tribute in that year.

After seven weeks or Sabbath of years, that is, after seven times seven years, the great Festival of the JUBILEE was celebrated; and during the whole year they neither sowed nor reaped. On this fiftieth year every one resumed possession of hie inheritance, whether it were sold, mortgaged, or alienated in any way. Houses and edifices in walled towns were the only kind of property that did not return to the original owner in the year of the Jubilee.

MAHONEDAN.

RAMAZAN. The Maliomedan fast commences each day throughout the mouth of this name, when the first streak of light borders the eastern horizon, and continues until the stars are clearly discerned in the heavens. During the whole of these hours not the slightest particle of food, not one single drop of water nor any other liquid, or smoke ever passes the lips. Each day during the fast is passed in occa- sional prayer, besides the usual nimaz, and in reading the Koran or lives of the phets. The fast is broken by dates, in remembrance of the Prophet's family, whose great luxury was supposed to be the date of Arabia, and some cooling draught is added if required. The conclusion of the month Kamazan is celebrated as an Eed festival and is hailed with great rejoicing and merriment.

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EED KORBAN. In commemoration of Abraham offering up Ishmael; and this is the day on which they annually perform the Haj at Mecca. The followers of Mahomed claim to be descendants of Abraham through his son Ishmael, who, they aver, was chosen as the offering to the Almighty, and not Isaac, thus differing from the Jews and Christians, grounding their assertions on traditions which they deem conclusive evidence on the subject, in opposition to the authority of the Bible,

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